Nepal's prime minister has resigned, in a move aimed at ending the country's political deadlock.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal announced his resignation in a televised address on Wednesday. Mr. Nepal said wanted to help the peace process that ended a decade-long Maoist insurgency and allowed the former rebels to join the government.

The Maoist party, which holds a majority in parliament, has been calling for Mr. Nepal's resignation so it can return to power as head of a unity government. The Maoist demand forced a delay in the writing of a new constitution until May of next year.

Prime Minister Nepal came to power last year after the fall of the Maoist-led government in a dispute over the integration of former Maoist rebels into the national army.